Mostly likely yes. Those of us in the developed world are plagued by autoimmune diseases, which each of these are. Autoimmune diseases occur when our own immune system fails to recognize a part of our own tissues or cells as part of us, and instead sees it as a foreign enemy. Attacking.

These are cases of mistaken identity.

We become our own enemy when in reality, we’re not.

I wonder though why we don’t have a classification for emotional autoimmune disorders? I’ve rarely met a human being who didn’t suffer emotionally from confusing themselves with the enemy, and following suit with attack.

Emotionally speaking, we so often think that if we shame ourselves, judge our hungers, and self-loathe that we’re making ourselves somehow better or safer.

We speak to ourselves with disparagement because we want to be loved or just liked.

We mistrust our hungers because we fear that feeding them will make us unlovable or judged by others.

We all have our own best interest at heart it’s just that our emotional immune system too often gets confused and thinks that we are the enemy of our self.

I may not be a doctor and I don’t know much about treating Lupus or Crohn’s Disease, but I do know a few tricks to get you on the road to recovery from an emotional autoimmune disease.

1. You must know that you are not the enemy. Take this as fact, even when reality appears different as these diseases effect our vision sometimes.

2. Know that any internal voice that is not kind, loving, or compassionate towards yourself is not speaking the truth.

3. Know that when you emotionally attack yourself your deeper intentions are good. You want the best for yourself, you want to be loved and somewhere along the way various sorts of self-attacks appeared the path to get there. They aren’t.

Peace.

Do ever have moments when the breadth of all that you don’t know overwhelms you?

Like the first time you got behind the wheel of a car.
Like you’re first week at a new job.
Like when you attempt to use Photoshop for the first time, or try to understand a complex global issue, or find out your parent has cancer.

Holy sh*t, right?

It’s uncomfortable. Sometimes we want to quit. Sometimes we don’t want to own up to our big dreams (or hungers) if it means we have to own up to all that we don’t know. Often we want to just hire an expert. We want so badly to be the expert – right now.

In the 1970’s Noel Burch, of Gordon Training International, developed The 4 Stages of Competence, a fantastic map and model to help see us through not knowing. I apply this model not only to learning how to do something, but also to understanding concepts and topical information. The model goes like this:

Stage 1: Unconscious Incompetency
This is when you’re totally unaware of what you don’t know.
Example: A 5 year old and driving a car. The child has no idea what it doesn’t know.

Stage 2: Conscious Incompetency
This is when you’re aware of all that you don’t know. (This is the stage I’m talking about)
For example: A 16 year old the first time they try to learn to drive a car. It’s crystal clear to them, all that they don’t know.

Stage 3: Conscious Competency
This is when you can do it or know it, but you’re fully aware of doing it or knowing it.
For example: A 16 year old, a month into driving a car for the first time. They can do it, but they are hyper aware of every gear shift, turn signal, and glance in the rear-view mirror.

Stage 4: Unconscious Competency
This is when you can do it without thinking about it.
For example: Anyone who’s been driving a car regularly for more than a year. It’s unconscious and they are totally capable.

Stage 2 is where I see us so often get stuck and give up. We’re afraid of getting it wrong, making mistakes, appearing stupid. We’d rather only do what comes easy. We’d rather turn a blind eye to what’s confusing. We’d rather pay someone to tell us the answer. We’d rather know it all this instant.

But it doesn’t work that way.

We have to start by knowing that we simply don’t know.
Only through staying with it – the curiosity, the dream, the desire to be competent and understand better. Only by being a student. Only by having patience do we wake up one day and know.

Not knowing is not the end point, if you don’t let it be.
Not knowing is just a step on the road to knowing more.

Kelly Wainwright, of Messy Monkey Arts, is a flashmob on legs. She simply bursts with creativity, joy, and a little rebelliousness. She’s gotten Desmond Tutu to jump on a bed. This photo was part of her Play, Jump, Eat project a photo series that blends beauty, joy, juxtaposition, play, and abundance…with proceeds going to charity. She’s a wild and wonderful woman…and yeah, well-fed too.

::::::::::::

Kelly, what are you TRULY hungry for?

I am hungry to take the biggest bite out of life & savor it in the most satisfying & fulfilling way that means for me. I believe we all have our particular passions for a reason. Not only do they end up edifying ourselves once lived out, but undeniably many of those around us. That said, I want to dance. often! I want to play music & sing. I want to live on the beach. I want to Love & adore my babies. I want to live out every whimsical, colorful, artful fantasy in my head as largely as possible, no matter how large the scale or seemingly “ridiculous” the notion. And, I want it to FLOW.

What’s a craving that you previously denied that you now happily satisfy? How has this impacted you?

Not apologizing for my somewhat “wacky” requests…knowing I need to go at it boldly. And, the more straight-forward I ask, the easier it seems it is for everyone involved to participate & help “well-grease” the machine, the dance, the FLOW.

What are you a conduit for? What comes through with ease, meaning, and spark?

Spontaneity, large-scale visions, seeing/remembering the bigger picture, & lightly encouraging people to take the risks they know they so desperately want to take anyway

Favorite bite in recent memory?

it’s a toss-up between:

:: taking a literal bite out of my fat baby’s giant thigh ;),

:: living on the beach with dolphins in my backyard in Cape Town; the sun & moon basking in my face

&/or

:: living out & making very real my dream project: PlayJumpEat in South Africa (ps – which I am currently looking for funding to carry forth in the US of A!, “Americana”-style)

Psychotherapy is but one of the notches on my branch to spiritual enlightenment (I said ‘on my way’) and radiant meaningful work in the world.

You know what played perhaps the biggest role? Books.

I venture to guess that for every exhale I’ve made I’ve given a book recommendation. Few of these books will be new to you, I imagine. Some are best sellers. Others are Oprah-approved. Do not be turned off by this or their location in the ‘self-help’ department. These books are popular because they are excellent and they labeled ‘self-help’ because they assist you to do just that.

Through these books I’ve experienced paradigm shifts that no one will ever be able take from me.

I’ve had concepts explained to me that I could never have understood from any other voice.

These books gave me words when I had none.

I’ve been validated, found kinship, and felt my connection to you and you and you simply because of the books I have read.

Here are 11 that have changed my life. One for every month of the year and a month off to digest.

Personally, I think this list is worth big bucks. If you read these books – you’re life will almost certainly get more awesome.

Hi, I'm Rachel

I am a life coach and fierce advocate for women feeding their truest hungers. I'm also a curator of inspiration and this is where I share the wisdom I've gained, words that trigger deep reflection, and resources to help you live your most well-fed life. Feast onward.